MADISONVILLE, Ky. (8/13/14) — Two U.S. Senators brought a coal country message to a coal country town today in Madisonville. U.S. Sen. Rand Paul asked the crowd gathered across the street from Madisonville Tire to vote for U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell in the fall general election to strengthen Kentucky's coal agenda in Washington, D.C.

Both senators were introduced by Madisonville Mayor David Jackson, who said Paul and McConnell had been leading the charge in Washington to bring energy independence to the nation.

“If Grimes were elected, her first vote would be to keep Harry 'Coal Makes Us Sick' Reid in control of the Senate instead of a proud Kentuckian like Sen. Mitch McConnell,” said Jackson. “Obama needs Grimes. Kentucky needs Mitch McConnell.”

When Paul spoke, he reminded the crowd of President Barack Obama's war on coal.

“The president said when he ran for office that he would bankrupt coal,” said Paul. “And, he is well on his way of getting there unless we stop him.”

Paul said that Obama's agenda has been stopped in Congress on several points.

“He wanted cap and trade; he wanted to raise your electric rates; he wanted to put coal out of business, and we stopped him,” said Paul. “But he's intent on doing it anyway. He said the other day, 'I have no choice but to act.' What does that sound like? That doesn't sound like a president to me. It sounds like someone who wants to aspire to a different kind of position, where there are no elections.”

Paul said that the founding fathers put “checks and balances” in place to ensure that Congress writes the law and that the president should faithfully execute the law.

“This president is out of control,” said Paul. “The only way we can stop him is by returning strong leadership to the Senate, and that means Mitch McConnell.”

When McConnell took the podium, he thanked Jackson and pointed out that his colleague, Paul, is a national figure. There were approximately 120 people gathered for the rally including several people wearing coal-mining uniforms.

“We all know why you're here today,” said McConnell. “You're worried about your country. Polls indicate that Americans are not sure they are going to leave behind a better America for their children than their parents left for them. This administration has done enormous damage to our country — the borrowing, the spending, Obamacare, the army of bureaucrats descending on every business in America with the view that if you're making a profit, you must be up to no good. These people need to be stopped, and it starts this November.”

McConnell told the crowd that his opponent, Democrat Alison Lundergan Grimes, will back Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.

“That's why Sen. Paul and I have been unable to get votes on our efforts to push back against the EPA,” said McConnell. “The majority leader won't let it happen. Every senator has a vote – but, there's one senator in very good position. And, that's the guy or gal, who sets the agenda. Only one member of the Senate gets to do that — the majority leader of the Senate.”

If McConnell is re-elected he would become the person setting the agenda as the Senate Majority Leader. Grimes if elected would be a junior senator.

“So, another way to look at the election this year is: Do you want a guy from Nevada saying, 'Coal makes you sick,' setting the agenda? Or a guy from Kentucky, who is the most pro-coal guy along with Sen. Paul in the Senate?”

McConnell said Kentucky is uniquely situated to lead America not only through his leadership of the Senate but also with Paul on a national leadership level in putting the state front and center among all America. Because Kentucky doesn't have as many legislators as large states like Texas and New York, having the opportunity to set the tone in the Senate is unique for this upcoming election, he said.